he terrace was called which had the best exposure to
the sun.

Eric laid aside his uniform; he entered the covered walk, and there
found Pranken and Fraeulein Perini promenading up and down together.
Pranken approached Eric with a bland smile that flickered upon his
face, disappearing as quickly as it came. In the consciousness of his
rank and his social position, he could afford a perfect courteousness
of demeanor, in which even a certain degree of geniality might be
observed. With a bow he again took a position by the side of Fraeulein
Perini, and continued his previous promenade and conversation with her.

Eric stood apart, and the admonition that he, as one in service, must
not be sensitive, struggled with his pride. But it might be regarded as
very considerate in Pranken, that he did not ask how it fared with his
application for the position of tutor.

Roland now entered in full dress, and the boy was amazed to see Eric in
citizen's clothes. Eric asked him, "Is your sister's name Manna?

"Yes; Hermanna, in fact, but she is always called Manna. Have you ever
heard of her?"

Eric had not time to reply that he had heard that name frequently
mentioned by Pranken and Fraeulein Perini, for Sonnenkamp entered in a
black dress-coat, white neck-tie, and irreproachable yellow gloves. He
was very gracious to everybody, one might say _appetizing_ in his
manner, as if he would say, "I hope you will all enjoy your dinner."
Never was Sonnenkamp in a more cheerful mood, never more buoyant, than
during the quarter of an hour before dinner.

They went into the dining-saloon, a cool, square, vaulted room, lighted
from the roof.

The carved oak furniture here was very massive. A large side-board, set
out with beautiful antique vessels and Venetian glasses, displayed the
rich silver plate. The whole neighborhood said that Herr Sonnenkamp ate
out of golden plates; but this was a gossiping story.

They waited a few minutes in the dining-room until the folding-doors
opened, when two servants in the coffee-colored livery of the house
stood like guards, one on each side, and Frau Ceres, like a princess,
stepped between them. At the threshold she courtesied somewhat stiffly;
and Pranken, coming forward, conducted her to the table. A servant was
stationed near each person, and drew back the chair whilst he took his
seat; Fraeulein Perini stood up behind her chair and leaned her arms
upon the back, held the mother-of-pearl cross in he